In Ubuntu philosophy, wisdom does not live in one person. It lives in the space between people — in the council of elders, in the circle where everyone speaks before a decision is made, in the willingness to sit with complexity rather than rush toward certainty. The Yoruba concept of iwa pele — gentle, patient character — holds that right discernment emerges not from the loudest voice but from the most grounded presence. Among the Akan of Ghana, the Sankofa bird teaches that you must understand where you have come from before you can discern where to go. Across East Africa, in Kenyan, Ugandan, and Nigerian communities, elders served as the community’s discernment body — their role was not to impose answers but to hold the questions long enough for truth to surface. Ubuntu teaches that unity and discernment are not opposites. You cannot have genuine unity without the honesty of discernment, and you cannot discern clearly without the grounding that comes from belonging to one another. This piece explores that ancient relationship — between knowing yourself and knowing your place within the whole.
Why do we seek confirmation within discernment?
We often look for external validation before making important decisions. This is especially true with people we trust and love. Even a minor decision, say, what to have for dinner tonight, can be fraught with anxiety. Especially if we don’t know how our loved ones will react. We also find ourselves on shaky ground when making big decisions in our professional lives. What if we choose one path instead of another? Will our colleagues think less of us? Some might even leave us behind! Before deciding anything at work or home, it’s helpful to recognize that a decision, either way, isn’t going to make you right or wrong. It’s simply another step along your journey as a human being. Regardless of the direction you choose, you have made a wise decision, thanks to the wisdom of discernment.
What can discernment teach us about unity?
More than anything, discernment teaches us what we don’t know about our limits. And that’s a good thing. The ability to distinguish right from wrong is one of our greatest gifts, as it enables us to make better choices and avoid trouble. Our wisdom of discernment helps us know when to stop or how much is too much, keeping us on track. It can prevent us from losing control or giving up in despair. That said, discernment is an abstract idea; deciding which course to take isn’t always clear-cut or easy to determine (hence our all-too-human tendency for conflict). But, if you know that failure results when you choose wrongly – whether that failure involves a bad relationship or missed opportunity – then learning how to judge wisely becomes essential. At its core, unity means one, but as any math teacher will tell you, 1 + 1 doesn’t always equal 2: It equals oneness. You can be united with something without being merged into it. Unity requires balance: Two different elements need each other to create harmony and balance. Otherwise, they become disparate and conflicting forces (like positive and negative charges) rather than complementary ones.
How can we embody both unity and discernment?
Too often in life, we can be deceived. We believe something to be true when, in reality, it’s not. What begins as a simple misperception can lead to disastrous consequences. To avoid being victimized by falsehoods, we must have a strong sense of discernment and unity. Both must exist within us if we are to navigate life successfully. With discernment and unity comes wisdom. When we know what is real and what is false, we know how to respond appropriately. When we react to others, our actions will reflect integrity and authenticity. Our words will be kinder and more considerate because our hearts are open and receptive to others’ needs. When our hearts are closed off from others, there is no room for empathy or compassion. We may say things that seem friendly, but they often lack sincerity because they stem from a place of fear or self-interest rather than genuine love or respect for another person. For us, the wisdom of discernment and unity is essential. When our hearts are open through discernment and unity, kindness follows naturally. It is who we are, rather than something we do or say only when convenient.
What happens when we practice both discernment and unity together?
We can choose to view our relationships with others and ourselves through a lens of discernment or a lens of unity. What happens when we practice both at the same time? It provides us with information that we couldn’t obtain from either one by itself. And even more exciting is what we discover as we do so: discernment and unity are not only complementary – they are inextricably linked. These coexist within each person. Through examining both discernment and unity, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves than ever before. The wisdom of discernment can help uncover our deepest gifts and what it means to be human. Join me for an exploration into how discernment and unity work together to give us a whole new way of being!
Sources
- The Wisdom of Discernment, the Oneness of Unity – IMDb
URL: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36383757/
Description: This IMDb entry details a podcast episode that explores themes of discernment and unity. It provides a multimedia perspective on how cultivating spiritual discernment can lead to a profound sense of oneness—a concept that enriches the ideas discussed in the blog. - The Power of Understanding | Unity
URL: https://www.unity.org/en/article/power-understanding
Description: This article from Unity examines how understanding lays the groundwork for unity. It discusses the role of spiritual insight as the basis for creating harmony in life, aligning closely with the blog’s emphasis on oneness and sound judgment in our personal journeys. - Topical Bible: Unity and Understanding – Bible Hub
URL: https://biblehub.com/topical/u/unity_and_understanding.htm
Description: This resource adopts a biblical perspective on the themes of unity and understanding. By exploring scriptural passages that emphasize communal harmony and enlightened discernment, it offers a timeless perspective to support the blog’s insights on achieving oneness and spiritual clarity.
Related Links
https://ubuntuvillageusa.org/2022/05/19/from-a-soul-level-the-bigger-picture
Community is the medicine.
Discernment and unity are the twin roots of communal life — the wisdom to choose wisely, and the courage to choose together. Ubuntu Village cultivates both in everything we do. Join us as a partner in that work.
DonateAbout the Author: Kimathi
Kimathi is a Nairobi-based writer and cultural observer contributing to Ubuntu Village’s Africa desk. His work documents the lives, subcultures, and overlooked stories of everyday Kenyans — from the nganya matatu scene to the night workers who carry the city while it sleeps. He writes from the inside out, with the city in his bones.
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